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Simple Ground Beef Casserole Recipe

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4.4 from 6 reviews

This Simple Ground Beef Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish combining tender penne pasta with savory ground beef, rich marinara sauce, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick family meal, it features a flavorful beef sauté topped with gooey cheese and baked to perfection in under 35 minutes.

  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound uncooked penne

Beef Mixture

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1.5 cups marinara sauce
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

Topping

  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and position the rack in the middle. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray or oil.
  2. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook for about 10 minutes until slightly underdone to avoid mushiness after baking. Drain and set aside.
  3. Sauté Beef and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Sauté for 10 minutes until browned. Stir in minced garlic partway through cooking. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  4. Add Sauce and Season: Stir marinara sauce into the beef mixture and warm through. Taste and season with salt and pepper to your preference.
  5. Combine and Assemble: Pour the drained pasta into the prepared baking dish. Add beef mixture over the pasta and toss gently until well combined. Sprinkle evenly with shredded cheddar cheese. For extra cheesiness, stir half a cup of cheese into the mixture before topping.
  6. Bake and Broil: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted. Optionally, broil for a few minutes afterwards to brown and crisp the cheese on top. Serve immediately while hot and bubbly.

Notes

  • Cooking the pasta slightly underdone prevents it from becoming mushy after baking.
  • Draining excess fat from the cooked ground beef helps reduce grease in the casserole.
  • Broiling at the end adds a crispy, golden cheese crust if desired.
  • Feel free to swap cheddar with mozzarella or a blend of Italian cheeses for different flavors.
  • This dish reheats well in the oven or microwave for leftovers.

Find it online: https://allcookedup.com/simple-ground-beef-casserole-recipe/